Railway lubricator



June 4, 1946.

A. F. HUBER RAILWAY *LUBRICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Filed Aug. 27, 1941INVENTOR ALBERT fi' HUBER ATTORNEY N v A -illlllililkw a v a a I Q I Q 3Lm Q June 4, 1946. HUBER 2,401,303

I RAILWAY LUBRIOATOR Filed Aug. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s ygza ,ullmllug,

l vENTb ALB T f. u BY' ATTORbiEY June 4, 1946. A, H BER 2,401,303

RAILWAY LUBRICATOR Filed Aug. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ALBERTE HUBER ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1946 RAILWAY LUBRICATOR Albert F.Huber, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to American Brake Shoe Company, acorporation of Delaware Application August 27, 1941, Serial No. 408,410

Claims. 1

The invention relates in eneral to railroad track equipment and, moreparticularly, to devices for lubricating the flanges of car wheels andthe flange engaging surfaces of the rails. The invention further relatesto operating mechanism which, when actuated by the passage of rollingstock, supplies lubricant quickly and efliciently.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a ramp assembly ismounted upon. a running rail and a hydraulic tank having a hydraulicpump is operatively connected to the ramp assembly. Spaced from thetrack structure and independently mounted on the road bed is a reservoirand lubricant supply mechanism. The reservoir may comprise acomparatively large tank set in the ground in which is disposed alubricant pumping unit or gun having suitable driving devices driven bythe hydraulic pump through suitable pumping connections. The pumpingunit or gun may comprise an aligned double-acting hydraulic motor andpump, and suitable connections may be provided from the discharge of thelubricant pump to the actual lubricant applying device associated withthe track for applying lubricant to the wheel flanges.

The ramp may be provided with ramp springs for holding it in the path ofthe rolling stock and its connection with the hydraulic pump ispreferably such that the pumping action occurs with upward movement ofthe ramp under influence of the ramp springs, the hydraulic pump being asingle acting pump and exerting no pumping action with downward movementof the If desired, however, the connections may be reversed so that thepumping stroke occurs with downward movement of the ramp in which case asuitable maximum pressure or relief valve may be provided in thedischarge of the pump within the hydraulic tank to release the hydraulicfluid in the event a serious stoppage occurs either in the hydraulic orlubricant lines.

If 1. instead of filling the lubricant reservoir with lubricant bytransferring from a shipping container, provision be for utilia ing theshipping container itself as a part the reservoir. In this case, asuitable foundation or container will be provided to receive theshipping container and the power driven pump unit or gun will be mountedupon a suitable removable support so that this assembly may be removedfrom the shipping container when the lubricant is consinned and thenreplaced when a full shippin container is substituted.

The invention also consists certain new and original features ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claimsappendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages,and-the manner in which it may be'carried out, may be better understoodby referring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is'a planview of one running railwith the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is'a section on the lin 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsection taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l and showingthe ramp and hydraulic pump assembly.

Fig. 4 is a section'on the line. l--4 of Fig. 1 showing the rampassembly without the hydraulic pump unit.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on the lines li -B of Fi s. 3 and 4.

Fig. '7 is a plan section taken on the line 1'| of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a section through the lubricant reservoir.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal seotionthrough the lubricant or grease gun.

Fig, 10 is a sectionon the line Ill-4B of Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on the line Hll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section through a modified form of lubricant reservoir,using the removable shipping container; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a modified structure corresponding toFig. 3 but having the pumping stroke of the hydraulic pump occur withdownward movement of the ramp.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will beidentified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended tobe as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposesofexplanaticn, but it will be understood that the details may bemodified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect ofthe invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2,the running rail is denoted by Ill and the usual supporting ties by l l.Secured to the running rail is a delivery plate l2 having a greaseapplying slot l3 for supplying lubricant to the outer surfaces of theflanges of the wheels running on the rail Ii]. Also secured to the trackstructure is a ramp I4 driving a hydraulic pump I5 which is connected toa hydraulically driven gun I6 located in the reservoir I1 alongside thetrack. The reservoir I'I contains lubricant and the gun I6 drawslubricant from the reservoir and discharges it through a pipe systemindicated by I8 to the delivery device I2. Hydraulic pipes I9 and 20having flexible sections connect the hydraulic pump I5 and the greasegun I6.

The lubricant applying apparatus, of which delivery plate I2 forms apart, is fully disclosed and claimed in Heidenthal patents, No.2,059,235 granted November 3, 1936, and No. 2,185,810 granted January 2,1940, to which reference is made for a more complete disclosure. It issufficient for present purposes to refer to Fig. 5 of the presentapplication where it will be noted that the head 23 of the rail II] iscut away to put the delivery slot I3 at the proper location for applyingstreaks of lubricant to the wheel flanges. A series of branch conduits24 are located along the length of the rail and supply lubricant to thedelivery plate I2 uniformly and evenly by the system of piping indicatedin general by I8.

It will be understood that the wheels rolling along the running rail Illoperate the ramp I4, which in turn reciprocates the hydraulic pump I5which sends hydraulic fluid, such as light oil, through discharge pipeI9 to the grease gun the return hydraulic fluid returning through pipe20 to the tank 45. The gun I5 draws lubricant, which may be a heaviergrease, from the bottom of reservoir I'I, delivering it through thesystem of piping I8 as above described.

Referring now to the ramp assembly, shown more particularly in Figs. 3to '7, this comprises a filler plate 28 and a housing plate 29 suitablybolted to the running rail Ill. The ramp I4 is located between thehousing plate 29 and the rail head 23 and is pivoted at one end by apivot bolt 21. The filler and housing plates 28 and 29 have suitablerecesses 30 forming seats for helical springs 3I, which engage the lowersurface of the ramp I4 urging it upward. The top surface of the ramp I4is suitably cammed or beveled to accommodate trafiic in both directions.

For adjusting the height of the ramp a stud bolt 32 is passed throughthe filler plate 28 and rail I0 and is located within a recess formed bya strap 33 secured to the underside of the ramp I4. Located in thisrecess is a master shim 35 and a plurality of adjusting shims 36 held inposition, on the one side by the surface offiller plate 28 and on theother side by a cover plate 31' held in position by a cotter pin 38passing through stud 32. Thus, by taking out or adding shims 36 theuppermost position of ramp I4 may be adjusted and the correspondingstroke applied to the hydraulic pump also adjusted.

Secured to the housing plate 29 is the hydraulic tank body 45, whichcomprises a rectangular box having a removable cover 46. The tank bodyhas an extension 48 through which passes bolt 44 which also passesthrough the housing plat 29, filler plate 23, rail I0 and delivery plateI2. EX- tension 48 has a shoulder 42 engaging housing plate 29. Otherbolts 41 secure the tank 45 to the housing plate 29. Bolt 39 alsocompletely passes through the housing plate, filler plate, rail, anddelivery plate. Top cover 46 is provided with a removable supply plug 51having a vent opening as indicated in Fig. 6.

The hydraulic pump I5 is set m the side Wall of tank 45, as shown moreparticularly in Fig. 7, and comprises a cylinder 59 connected to a plate58 having a suitable stuffing box 5! for the piston rod '58. It will beunderstood that the plate 58 is of square configuration and i suitablysecured to the wall of tank 45 by suitable bolts indicated by 43 in Fig.3,

Secured to piston rod 59 is the piston 49 which reciprocates within thecylinder 50, the latter being provided with an inlet check valve 52 anda discharge check valve 53 which communicates with the discharge pipe 55 passing through the Wall of tank 45 and connecting with the dischargepipe I9. The return pipe 20 also passes through the wall of tank 45 andhas a standing end indicated by 58 located above the level of thehydraulic fluid indicated by 5-5 in Fig. 6 to prevent loss of oil shouldpipe 28 break.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that as the piston 49in Fig. 7 moves to the left the liquid will be drawn in through theinlet valve 52, and as the piston 49 moves to the right the inlet valve52 will be closed and the discharge valve 53 will open, dischargingliquid under pressure through pipes 5 3 and I9- The connections fordriving the hydraulic pump I5 by the ramp i l will be understood fromthe following description taken with Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings.Bolted to the web of the rail I9 is a Z plate 62, the bolt beingindicated by 53. Additional bolts indicated b 54 pass through plate 62'into filler plate 28. The end of plate 62 projects away from the fillerplate 28 and a short shaft 65 passes therethrough. On one end of theshaft 65 is an inner arm 65 and on the other end is an outer arm 60.Link BI is suitably pivoted to the end of ramp I A and to the end of arm56. Another link 1-5 is pivotall connected to arm 69 and to a fitting I6secured to piston rod 59.

Referring now more particularl to Figs. 9 to 11, the power driven greasegun will now be described. This gun may be purchased on the market andforms no part of the present invention, except as it is combined withthe elements used therewith to provide the present track lubricator.

The gun I6 comprises an upper head and a lower head 8|, having uppercylinder 82 clamped therebetween by three bolt and nut assemblies 83.Secured to the lower end of fitting BI is a lower cylinder 86, having anintake valve cap 85 supporting a valve disk 86 and a strainer 8?. Lugs88 are for the purpose of spacing the gun on the bottom of the reservoirtank IT to permit lubricant to be drawn in through strainer 81. Locatedwithin the lower cylinder 84 is an intermediate cylinder 89 providing anannular space connecting with duct 94 communicating with the dischargepipe I61.

Located within the upper cylinder 82 is an upper piston 90 formed of twodisks BI and 92 suitably bolted together and holding rings of packing93. Located within the intermediate cylinder 89 is the intermediatepiston I00, made up of upper section IEI and a lower section I02suitably screw threaded together to hold packings sea. A hollow pistonrod I54 connects pistons 90 and I06.

Located within the lower cylinder 34 is a lower piston I05 made up ofsections IE6 and IU'I threaded together to clamp packing I98therebetween. Rod I 89 threaded into section I02 of piston Iilii isprovided with a nut Iii) clamping a collar III. Cap H2 is threaded onsection I06 to secure piston rod I09 thereto, Sections I06 and 5 I01 areprovided with passages communicating both above and below the packingI08, and section I01 is provided with a seat I I5 against which ispositioned a ball I I3 held in position by spring The upper head 80contains the valve mechanism for alternately supplying fluid pressureabove and below the piston 90 to make this piston and its cylinder ineffect a double acting hydraulic motor. A plate I20 is threaded into theend of casing 90, forming the end wall of cylinder 82. Passing throughend wall I20 and through hollow piston rod I04 is a valve stem I2Ihaving abutments I22 and I23.

Located on the upper end of valve stem I2I are collars I24 and I25, andsurrounding the stem I2I is a spring I26 engaging an upper collar I21loosely mounted on the valve stem I2I and engaging a ring I29 fixed todetent sleeve I3I. Spring I26 also engages a collar I26 which engagesboth an abutment on spindle I2! and an abutment on detent sleeve I3I.

The detent sleeve I3I is provided with annular grooves I32 and I33adapted. to selectively engage with both detents I34 held in position bysprings I35 backed by caps I36. Loosely connected to the detent sleeveI3I by a screw and slot connection I38 is the slide valve I31, whichslides within a liner or sleeve I39 provided with a series of holes.These holes line up with corresponding openings in a series of ringsI40, I4! and I42 held in position by sleeve I43 and cap I44 by suitablebolts I45 passing through the cap into the body of the head 80. Therings I40, MI and I-42 surround the liner I39 and hold it down againstthe cylinder head I20.

The openings in the upper ring I40 communicate with passages I50, Fig.10, leading to the upper end of cylinder 82. The openings inintermediate ring I4I connect with inlet duct I5I to which supply pipeI9 is connected. The openings in the lower ring I42 connect with passageI52, pipe I53, passage I54, leading to the lower end of cylinder 82. Thesleeve liner E39 has exhaust holes I58 at its lower end communicatingwith annular space I59, to which exhaust pipe 20 is connected. Pipe 20also connects with passages I48 and I41 to the space above liner I39.

A brief description of the operation of the gun I6 will now be given. Inthe positions shown in Figs. 9-11, the several pistons 90, I and I95,are each at the top of their strokes and the downward stroke is about tobegin, Hydraulic fluid under pressure from pipe I9 passes throughpassage I I the openings in ring I4I and the adjacent openings in linerI39 through the annular port I46 of slide valve I31, thence throughopenings in liner I39 and corresponding openings in ring I40, thenceinto communication with the ducts I50, Fig. 10, communicating with thespace above motor piston 90. Piston 90 is then forced clownwardly,driving pistons I00 and I05. The space in cylinder 84 below lower pistonI05 having previously been filled with lubricant due to the previousupward stroke of piston I05, this lubricant now opens check valve II3passing to the space above piston I05. Check valve 86 prevents thislubricant from being expelled back into the reservoir. The downwardmovement of intermediate piston I00 thus decreases the volume of thecombined space defined by cylinders 84 and 99, forcing lubricant upbetween these two cylinders into the annular space 94 and cut throughthe discharge pipe I81 as indicated by the arrow.

As the motor piston 90 approaches the bottom of its stroke it engagesshoulder I22 on valve stem IZI which carries this stem downwardlytogether with sleeve I24 and collar I21, compressing spring I26 untilsleeve I25 engages collar I28 which carries detent sleeve I3I downward.Downward movement of sleeve I 3I causes spring pressed balls I34 todisengage groove I33 and engage in groove I32 with a snap action, thuscarrying sleeve valve I31 from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to aposition where valve port I46 connects the openings in liner I39corresponding to the openings in rings MI and I42.

This connects the hydraulic supply pipe I9 through duct I5I, theopenings in rings MI and I42 and corresponding openings in the liner I39to duct I52, pipe I53 and duct I54, thus supplying pressure to thecylinder I6 under piston which causes the upward movement of thepistons, The space above piston 90 communicates with the discharge pipe20 to exhaust the hydraulic fluid admitted for the downward stroke,through ducts I50, Fig, 10, the openings in ring I40 and correspondingopenings in liner I39 to the space above slide valve 531, thenceoutwardly through ducts I41 and I48 to exhaust pipe 20.

The upward movement of lower piston I05 forces lubricant above it intointermediate cylinder 89 and also the space between cylinders 89 and 84,but since piston I05 is larger than piston I00 more lubricant is movedupwardly by piston I05 than the corresponding displacement of piston I00and the difference is expelled through annular channel 94 and dischargepipe I61.

The upward movement of lower piston l05 also tends to create a vacuum incylinder 84 under the piston which opens check valve 86, drawing inlubricant through strainer 81.

As the piston 90 approaches the upper end of its stroke, the piston I00engages the abutment I23 on the lower end of valve stem I2I, which movescollar I28 upwardly, compressing spring 529 until collar I25 engagescollar I21, which engages ring I29 to move detent sleeve I3! upwardly tocause detents I34 to snap from groove 32 to groove I33, the positionshown in these figures.

The upward movement of detent sleeve I3I carries slide valve i351 withit, moving it to the position shown, connecting the hydraulic supplypipe I9 to the space above piston 90 as above described andcommunicating the space below piston 90 through duct I54, pipe I53, ductI52, the openings in ring I42, corresponding openings in liner I39 andthe openings I58, annular space I59, with the hydraulic discharge pipe20.

Thus we have a double acting power driven lubricant pump or gun, whichdelivers a constant stream of lubricant to discharge pipe I81 with bothdownward and upward strokes of the pistons. This insures the constantsupply of lubricant to the track so long as pressure is supplied tohydraulic feed pipe I9.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 8, the reservoir I1 comprises a largetank I60 of ample size to hold a considerable quantity of lubricant, setin the ground alongside the road bed spaced somewhat from the rails andties so as to be free from movement imparted to the track by movement ofthe rolling stock. The tank I60 may have a two part cover, one part I6Ibeing fixedly secured to the body I60 and the other part I62 having ahinged connection I12 with part IBI. Hinged lid 462 may be provided withan apertured ear cooperating with an apertured ear or lug I1I at- 7tached to the body I60 for the reception of a padlock or the like.

Suitable provision may be made for excluding water and to this end themembers I6I and I62 may have a peripheral flange I13 and the jointbetween parts I6I and I62 may have a seal comprising a rib or flangeI10, over which is disposed a bead I63 on the lid I62.

The gun I6 may be mounted on a suitable bracket I65 secured to the wallsof body I66 as by suitable bolts passing through the bracket into theflange I66 of the lower head 8|. The discharge pipe I61 may haveincorporated therein a relief valve I68 for purpose of relieving excesspressure in pipe I61, the relief valve I68 then diverting the greaseback into the reservoir I1. Discharge pipe I61 connects, by a suitableflexible connection I69, with the net work I8 supplying the variousportions of the lubricant applying device I2. The discharge pipe I61together with hydraulic pipes I9 and 26 may pass through a suitableplate I14 detachably or otherwise secured around an opening in the sidewall of body I66.

It will thus be seen that as trains move over the running rail II], theramp I4 will be reciprocated up and down, downward movement being causedby the weight of the trains and the upward movement being caused by theramp springs 31. The downward movement of the ramp I4 causes aretracting movement to piston 69 of the hydraulic pump I5, drawinghydraulic fluid from the tank 45 into the cylinder. The upward movementof the ramp I4 under the influence of springs 8I applies the pumpingforce to piston 49 of the single acting hydraulic pump, discharginghydraulic fluid through the discharge pipe I9 to the hydraulic gun I6,which pumps lubricant to the track as above described. The exhaust fluidreturns through pipe 26 to tank 45, where it discharges above the normalliquid level in tank 45. Thus, the force applying the pumping action islimited to the strength of the springs 3 I, which are so designed as tomaintain all forces below the rupture point of all of the hydraulic andlubricant apparatus concerned should a stoppage occur anywhere. Thus, ifdesired, the excess pressure valve I68 in the lubricant line may beomitted.

The successive reciprocations of the hydraulic pump due to the passageof successive wheels of rolling stock impart comparatively smallsuccessive spurts of hydraulic pressure to the gun I6, which in turncauses the lubricant to be fed evenly and uniformly. As soon as the lastwheel has passed, the hydraulic pressure is immediately terminated andthe gun I6 immediately stops feeding, there being no large quantity oflubricant under pressure to continue to feed after the hydraulic drivingimpulses have been terminated.

Thus there is no danger of flooding or oversupplying the delivery orapplying apparatus I2. On the other hand, the check valve 53 insureshydraulic pressure being always maintained in the hydraulic supply pipeI9, and upon the passage of the first pair of wheels of a train,hydraulic pressure is built up immediately and lubricant will besupplied to the delivery slots I3 immediately.

In some cases it may be desirable to have the downward movement of theramp I4 impart the power stroke to the hydraulic pump and the rampsprings impart the retracting movement. The invention convenientlyadapts itself to this modification as illustrated particularly in Fig.13. Here corresponding parts are denoted by the same referencecharacters followed by the letter a, the ramp being indicated by Ida,the pivoted stud shaft by 65a, the arm connected thereto by 66a and 66aand the connecting links by BIa and 15a. The hydraulic pump I5a is ofthe same construction as the pump I5 and supplies discharge pipe 54awhich is connected in substantially the same manner with the gun asdischarge pipe 54. However, interposed in pipe 54 is an excess pressurevalve or safety valve I16 which relieves any excess hydraulic pressure,diverting the excess liquid back into the tank 45a in the event defectsoccur in any part of the apparatus causing excess pressures to be builtup. The relief valve I16 is necessary here in view of the weight of therolling stock being sufficient to impart forces to the apparatussufficiently high to cause breakage in the event some stoppage or otherdefect occurs. The advantage of this modiflcation is that hydraulicpressure is obtained a little bit more quickly than with the type firstdescribed in that the first downward movement of the ramp supplies thehydraulic pressure, whereas in the form first described hydraulicpressure is not built up until upward movement of the ramp occurs.

In some cases it is desirable to utilize the original shippingcontainers for the lubricant as the reservoir. This procedure eliminatesthe transfer of the lubricant from the shipping container to thereservoir when it is necessary to replenish the supply. This bodilytransfer of lubricant from one container to another is not only anuisance but is hazardous in that the workmen are sometimes careless andget foreign matter into the lubricant which interferes with theoperation of the track lubricator.

To this end the arrangement of Fig. 12 is provided, this beingillustrated somewhat diagrammatically. This form comprises a holder orfoundation I11 permanently set in the ground alongside of the track andspaced from the track and independent of movement thereof. The shippingcontainer which is indicated by I16 may be in the form of a metal drum,having a top I19 provided with an openin normally closed by a removablelid (not shown). When this lid is removed, a housing I86 may be put inits place, this housing having a hinged lid I82. The housing may have adepending annular lip fitting within the opening in the top I19 andsuitable provision made to keep water from getting into the lubricant.

For supporting gun I6b the housing I may have a plate I83 connectedthereto having a suitable opening through which the gun will bedisposed. The gun is provided with a plate I84 welded or otherwisesecured thereto for engaging the plate I83. The discharge pipe [61b mayhave a relief valve I681) and both the pipe I61?) and hydraulic pipesI91) and 201) may have detaehable couplings I85, I86 and I81 for thepurpose of disconnecting these pipes.

When the grease in the shipping container I18 is exhausted, it is onlynecessary to detach the couplings I85, I86 and I81 and bodily remove thehousing I80 and gun I6b. The empty container I18 is then removed fromthe holder I11 and a full container I18 substituted, after which thehousing I8!) and gun I6b will be replaced in the position shown. Afterthe couplings I85, I86 and I81 are tightened the apparatus is ready foruse.

Thus a hydraulic track lubricator has been described which is simple andefficient in operation. It is easy to install since both hydraulic pipesand lubricant pipes have flexible sections so that it is not necessaryto line up the reservoir and lubricant gun with the apparatus on thetrack structure. Mechanical reciprocating parts and resulting lostmovement is reduced to a minimum and a single positive pumping unit isprovided.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosedherein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understoodthat various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a track lubricator, a track structure, a lubricant applying deviceassociated therewith for applying lubricant to wheels running on saidtrack structure, a ramp pivoted to said track structure to be operatedby passage of rolling stock, a ramp housing partially enclosing saidramp, a hydraulic tank secured to said ramp housing, a hydrualic pumpmounted in said tank and connected to said ramp, a lubricant reservoirmounted alongside the track independently there of and spaced therefrom,a lubricant gun in said reservoir comprising a double acting hydraulicmotor driving a double acting lubricant pump, said pump receivinglubricant from said reservoir, flexible means for delivering lubricantfrom said pump to said applying device, and flexible hydraulic supplyand return pipes connecting said hydraulic pump and said hydraulicmotor.

2. In a rail lubricator, a track structure, a

ramp pivoted thereto, a housing partially enclosing said ramp, ahydraulic tank secured to said housing, a reciprocating, single actinghydraulic pump having a cylinder projecting from a side wall of saidtank, said cylinder containing a piston having a piston rod projectingout of said tank, drive connections from said ramp to said rod, saidcylinder having an inlet check valve communicating with hydraulic liquidin said tank and an outlet check valve, said cylinder being immersed insaid liquid, a discharge pipe connecting said outlet valve and passingthrough the wall of said tank, a return pipe passing through the wall ofsaid tank and extending above the highest liquid level therein, alubricant supplying device comprising a double acting hydraulic motorconnected to a lubricant pump, both said pipes being connected to saidhydraulic motor to circulate hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic pumpand motor in a closed circuit to cause said lubricant pump to supplysaid track structure with lubricant.

3. In a track structure, a running rail having a lubricant applyingdevice associated therewith, a ramp assembly comprising a filler platesecured to the web of said rail, a housing plate secured to said railand a ramp pivoted to said rail and mounted between the head of saidrail and said housing plate, a hydraulic tank secured to said housingplate, a pump in said hydraulic tank, drive connections between saidramp and said pump, a lubricant reservoir spaced from said rail saidreservoir being mounted alongside the track and independent of movementthereof, hydraulic lubricant supplying device in said reservoir, aflexible conduit connecting said supplying device and said applyingdevice, and flexible hydraulic conduits between said hydraulic pump andsaid hydraulic lubricant supplying device.

4. In a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, alubricant applying device on said track structure for applying lubricantto wheels running on said running rail, a hydraulic pump forming part ofsaid track structure and having an actuating member operated by thepassage of rolling stock, a lubricant reservoir mounted alongside of thetrack structure so as to be independent of movement of said trackstructure caused by passage of rolling stock, a lubricant gun comprisinga double-acting, reciprocating lubricant pump and a double-acting,reciprocating hydraulic motor, said lubricant pump including a cylinderwith a piston working therein, said hydraulic motor also including acylinder with a piston working therein, said gun being verticallydisposed in said reservoir with the cylinders of its pump and motor inline and their pistons direct-connected and with the hydraulic motorabove the lubricant pump, a flexible conduit extending from saidlubricant pump to said lubricant applying device, and flexible hydraulicconduits between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor.

5. In a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, alubricant applying device on said track structure for applying lubricantto wheels running on said running rail, a hydraulic pump, meansoperating said hydraulic pump by passage of rolling stock moving oversaid running rail, a lubricant reservoir containing lubricant, alubricant gun comprising a double-acting reciprocating hydraulic motordirect connected to a double-acting reciprocating lubricant pump,hydraulic connections between said hydraulic pump and said double-actinghydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor having suchrelative displacement that a plurality of double strokes imparted tosaid hydraulic pump is required to complete the stroke of said hydraulicmotor in a single direction, said motor having direction reversingdevices to reverse the direction of motion of said motor when it reacheseither end of its stroke, said lubricant pump having communication withsaid reservoir to draw in lubricant on each stroke in each direction,said lubricant pump also having communication with said lubricantapplying device to deliver lubricant thereto on each stroke in eachdirection.

ALBERT F. HUBER.

